Anthony Senatore of Toms River pleaded not guilty in state Superior Court to six counts of child endangerment and rejected a plea deal that would have required him to serve seven years in prison.

The accidental shooting took place on April 8 in Anthony Senatore's backyard in Toms River.

Police say the 34-year-old father left a loaded riffle unsecured inside the home. Senatore's four-year-old son got a hold of the gun and fatally shot his 6-year-old neighbor, Brandon Holt, in the head.